Inheriting a Farm Made Me an Internet Sensation - Chapter 33

Tan Xiao agreed with Lin Muhan’s words.

At the same time, Tan Xiao vaguely guessed that the reason the farm and Lin Muhan had been able to enjoy peace for so long was likely due to Su Han’s efforts behind the scenes.

At this thought, her perception of this “cheap” older cousin of hers improved slightly.

She tried her hardest to recall the plot points she had received previously, but just like when Lin Muhan took on Mrs. Bai’s case, she came up empty-handed. She only knew that Jiang Yue and Sun Xin were the protagonists of this book. There was no descriptions of Lin Muhan or Su Han at all.

In other words, the conditions simply didn’t allow her to “cheat” using meta-knowledge.

The internet said that protagonists in books have a “halo.” With the blessing of this halo, no matter what hardships or setbacks they encounter, they can always resolve them. And what is the first thing they do once the problem is solved? Naturally, it’s seeking revenge for every grievance and settling every score.

Ding…

Lin Muhan picked up her phone and opened WeChat.

Sister, I found out. Huangtian International is indeed in some trouble. A batch of stones was lost abroad. If they can’t find them soon, the jewelry exhibition two months from now will have to be canceled.

After reading the message, Lin Muhan immediately sat up from the sofa.

The jewelry exhibition in two months was the first one Huangtian International was to hold after entering the jewelry industry; it was crucial to whether the company could establish a firm foothold in the field. Now that the stones were lost…

Sensing the gravity of the situation from Lin Muhan’s heavy expression, Tan Xiao realized Su Han was truly in trouble this time. She followed suit and sat up, glancing down at the chat box on Lin Muhan’s phone.

The stones were lost?

“Jadeite?” she asked.

Lin Muhan nodded. “Yes. If I remember correctly, Su Han went to great lengths to secure that batch of stones.” She shook her head slightly. “Logically, nothing should have gone wrong.”

Tan Xiao’s eyes darted around. She took out her phone and found Tu Yan’s WeChat.

Tan Xiao: Old friend, I saw your Moments post from the day before yesterday. Are you in Myanmar?

As the saying goes, when townspeople meet, their eyes brim with tears. Ever since they met in the library, she and Tu Yan had kept in touch. Occasionally, when she missed home too much, they would video chat for a bit. She knew it wasn’t very kind to keep bothering Tu Yan, but she had no other choice—a useful connection shouldn’t go to waste.

Tu Yan replied quite quickly this time: Talk is cheap. If you want me to bring stones, send the money over.

Tan Xiao: I need quite a lot, is that okay?

Tu Yan: If the money is right, I can mine a whole mountain for you. But, do you even have money?

Tan Xiao: “…”

The damage was low, but the insult was extremely high.

Not hearing her speak for a long time, Lin Muhan turned to look. Seeing the conversation on the screen, Lin Muhan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She felt like crying because Tan Xiao had such a close friend she didn’t know about, but she felt like laughing because Tan Xiao was so famously broken in her social circle.

Noticing Lin Muhan’s gaze, Tan Xiao’s face flushed. She shifted uncomfortably and stammered, “I… I’ll go give Su Han a call.”

Her fleeing figure amused Lin Muhan, bringing a faint smile to her lips. However, thinking of that “Tu Yan” Tan Xiao had just contacted, the smile vanished. Over the past two months, she had been so busy with company affairs that her communication with Tan Xiao had dwindled. Furthermore, Tan Xiao had yet to confess her feelings, which made Lin Muhan feel that things were not looking good.

Now that the company’s affairs were basically stable, she needed to carve out more time to spend with Tan Xiao and break down her defenses sooner.

Back in her room, Tan Xiao, unaware of Lin Muhan’s plans, was on the phone with Su Han.

“I’ll give you his contact information. You can reach out to him directly.”

“Okay,” Su Han paused. “Thank you.”

Tan Xiao seized the opportunity to tease: “Then the farm—”

She was answered by the “beep-beep-beep” of the disconnected call.

She put down her phone and made a face at it. Based on that attitude, she knew this matter wouldn’t break Su Han just yet.

On the other side, after hanging up, Su Han received the phone number from Tan Xiao. Without hesitation, she dialed it. As soon as the call connected, a male voice rang in her ear.

“Are you Tan Xiao’s cousin? I’m a bit busy here. Just tell me the quality and quantity you need.”

Su Han’s expression grew solemn. This sounded incredibly unreliable. Remembering that Tan Xiao had introduced him, she forced herself to be more patient and said warmly, “Hello, I need a batch of high-quality polished stones. I’m not sure which mine you are at currently. If it’s convenient, I’d like to see the goods in person.”

Compared to raw ores, polished stones carried less risk.

“If you don’t mind the trouble, suit yourself. I’ll send the address to your phone. Contact me when you arrive. Hanging up.”

Before Su Han could say another word, the line went dead again.

This… the tables had truly turned on her.

She didn’t have time to dwell on it. Upon receiving the address, she immediately contacted her secretary to book a flight. After putting the landline back, she thought of something and opened Jiang Mo’s WeChat.

Su Han: I agree to cooperate with you.

Jiang Mo: Then… a pleasure doing business with you.

Putting down her phone, Su Han walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the heavy traffic, her expression grim.

Five hours ago, the people she sent to investigate had discovered the reason the jadeite was lost. It had been hijacked by a major local force. Hijacking goods across territories rarely happened in Myanmar, which forced her to suspect a mastermind behind it.

Coincidentally, Jiang Yue had personally made a trip to Myanmar a week ago, specifically to the area where the force that stole her goods was stationed. Furthermore, a month ago, rumors circulated that Huatai was also planning to enter the jewelry industry.

One might be a coincidence, but when two such things occurred together, they could no longer be treated as such.

Originally, she had no intention of cooperating with Jiang Mo. That man was far too dangerous; he was reckless when he went “mad.” If Jiang Yue was a rabid dog, then Jiang Mo was a rabid wolf. Unless it was a last resort, who would want to dine with a tiger?

At the Quiet Farm, Small Courtyard

Tan Xiao had just finished recording her experimental data. As she was about to leave her room, there was a knock at the door. Before she could even stand up, the door was pushed open. Lin Muhan walked in carrying a bowl of something pitch black.

“Hungry? Come try the silver ear soup I made for you myself.”

Tan Xiao’s eyes widened. She stared at it for a long time but couldn’t find a single trace of silver ear fungus.

Lin Muhan saw her indescribable expression and pushed her nervousness to the back of her mind. Her gaze sharpened. “What’s with that look?”

Sensing danger, Tan Xiao backed away while shaking her head like a rattle. “I… nothing.” Her gaze landed on the bowl, and she swallowed hard. “I… I’m not hungry right now.” Fearing Lin Muhan wouldn’t believe her, she added, “Really.”

Lin Muhan set the bowl on the small round table with one hand and sat down, feigning composure. “I simmered this for an hour and a half. This is the first time I’ve ever cooked.”

Without thinking, Tan Xiao blurted out, “I can tell.”

Seeing the sharp glint in Lin Muhan’s eyes, her survival instinct kicked in. “I… I mean, if you want to eat silver ear soup, you can just tell me. I can cook it.” Anything would be better than this “dark cuisine.” It was so black that she doubted she would see tomorrow’s sun if she drank it.

Lin Muhan lowered her eyes, sounding disappointed. “I knew it. You’re disgusted by me.”

At this, Tan Xiao’s heart wrenched. After a fierce internal struggle, she moved toward the table in fits and starts. “How about… I try it?”

Lin Muhan’s eyes instantly lit up. She pushed the “silver ear” soup forward, her face full of anticipation.

Looking at the black mess, Tan Xiao opened her mouth twice but still lacked the courage to eat it. She pulled the bowl away slightly and clenched her fists. “How about we give this bowl to Jiang Yue?”

She really couldn’t bring herself to swallow it.

Lin Muhan suddenly stood up, reaching out to snatch the bowl back. “Don’t drink it. I’ll go cook another bowl.” Angry as she was, she was also afraid Tan Xiao would get sick. If it were her, she wouldn’t even consider it unless a knife was held to her throat. Now that she knew Tan Xiao was willing to try for her sake, it was enough.

Tan Xiao didn’t let go at first. She carefully observed Lin Muhan’s expression to make sure she wouldn’t blow up in the next second. Only then did she release her grip, her racing heart finally settling.

The moment her hands were empty, she quickly said, “I’ll go cook. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.” Without waiting for a reply, she hurried out. After this experience with the “black silver ear,” she would never dare let Lin Muhan into the kitchen again. It was too terrifying.

Lin Muhan didn’t insist. She called out to her retreating back, “I also want Mango Sago with Pomelo (Yangzhi Ganlu). Make that for me too.”

Tan Xiao didn’t stop. “No problem!”

When she reached the kitchen, she realized she hadn’t gone to the greenhouse to pick fresh silver ear. Just as she was about to head out, she spotted half a piece of silver ear left on the table. She washed it thoroughly and threw it into the electric rice cooker.

This was a trick she had come up with back in university—using a rice cooker to simmer silver ear. Not only did you not have to worry about the gelatinous texture, but it was also incredibly convenient.

Remembering the Mango Sago Lin Muhan asked for, she set some water to boil, then grabbed sago from the cupboard. She also found a mango in the fridge and diced it on the stainless-steel table.

“Xiao xiao, Xiao xiao…”

It was Chen Cuihua’s voice.

Tan Xiao wiped her hands on her apron and walked out. “Sister Chen, I’m here.”

Chen Cuihua skidded to a stop, pointing into the air while panting. “How about we set up a few more greenhouses? I’m about to grow calluses on my ears from people pestering me. They call every day asking for silver ear. That all belongs to Lawyer Lin; where am I supposed to conjure some up for them?”

Tan Xiao looked bewildered. “But Sister Chen, our farm sells vegetables.”

“Isn’t silver ear a vegetable too?” Chen Cuihua took two steps forward. “I saw you growing wood ear mushrooms a few days ago. I just checked, and they’re growing great. Growing silver ear is about the same as wood ear anyway. Let’s do it together.”

“Sister Chen, you want to do every business you see.” Tan Xiao felt exhausted. She was only growing wood ear because Wang Yanpeng said he wanted to eat some. She owed him a huge favor, so she naturally wanted to satisfy such a small request. She hadn’t told anyone; she didn’t know how Chen Cuihua found out.

“Its money delivered to our doorstep. We’d be fools not to take it.” Chen Cuihua walked away, calling out as she went, “Then it’s settled! I’ll contact the workers. We’ll have it ready in three days.”

Unable to refuse, Tan Xiao simply shook her head helplessly and returned to the kitchen to continue making the Mango Sago. She understood Sister Chen’s feelings. The wages of the farm helpers were tied to the farm’s total revenue. Now that business was booming, everyone was motivated and full of energy, just like Sister Chen—wishing they could bring every possible bit of business to the farm.

The few people Sister Chen had picked were not only quick-handed and smart but also fast learners and reliable. Tan Xiao didn’t really have to worry much about them.

Lin Muhan, bored upstairs, purposely lightened her footsteps as she entered the kitchen. She crept up behind Tan Xiao and hugged her from behind while she wasn’t paying attention. “What are you thinking about so seriously?”

“Nothing.” Tan Xiao squeezed the prepared yogurt into the bowl and picked up the finished product. “Your Mango Sago is ready. Want to try?”

Lin Muhan loosened her grip slightly but didn’t remove her hands from Tan Xiao’s waist. She tilted her head up slightly and opened her mouth. “You feed me.”

Tan Xiao scooped up a spoonful and carefully placed it in Lin Muhan’s mouth.

The sweet and sour taste made Lin Muhan’s eyes crinkle with a smile. She praised generously, “Delicious.” Then, her tone shifted. “But it’s missing a little flavor.”

“What flavor?” Tan Xiao took a taste herself. “There’s no—”

Before she could finish, her lips were ambushed.

The other woman wasn’t content with just a shallow taste. She teased her, and while Tan Xiao was caught off guard, she pried open her teeth to chase her soft tongue.

Tan Xiao’s whole body tensed up. She stood there woodenly, holding the bowl high in the air.

At this moment, the sound of the bubbling rice cooker seemed to fade, replaced by the blush-inducing sound of ragged breathing and the thumping of hearts.

The gentle breeze carried the fragrant rose scent from Lin Muhan’s body to her nose, causing ripples to spread across her already chaotic heart. Soft and fragrant—wasn’t this exactly what that meant?

Instinctively, she raised her other hand to tightly embrace Lin Muhan’s slender waist, carefully and gradually deepening the kiss.

It wasn’t until both she and Lin Muhan felt their bodies go weak that she reluctantly ended the kiss.

She lowered her eyes to see Lin Muhan’s eyes shimmering with a watery light, her lips slightly parted as she leaned bonelessly against Tan Xiao’s chest. Her voice was soulful and enchanting:

“Don’t you have anything you want to say to me?”